Leviticus 14 – 19

It’s OK, you’re not the only one. We get to this part of the Bible and start to bog down. At first glance, the Tabernacle looks like a slaughter house. God appears caught up in a stream of consciousness rule-making binge that has nothing to do with my life today. Sure it’s easy to get lost in all of this is we allow ourselves to get lost in the maze by focusing on the details merely as a random to-do list. When we do so, we lose sight of Yahweh. Wherever the Scriptures lead us, we must not lose sight of Him. So, what does this tell us about God? What does this tell us about us?

As before, let’s consider that most of the animals sacrificed would ultimately be “for the priests”. These men and their families were dedicated to the LORD and when they came into possession of the Promised Land, they would inherit no land to farm. To care for them, those who had flocks and farm produce would bring proscribed sacrifices to the priests exactly as directed by God. Animals were killed, prepared and cooked over fire. Flour and oil were brought and made into “cakes”, again in strict accordance with the directives of God. The priests would live lives devoted to God instead of to raising crops and livestock. By faith, trusting that Yahweh-Yireh would provide, it was the duty and purpose of the priests to encourage the people to be faithful. When the people were faithful, the priests were cared for. It’s brilliant. The only flaw in the system is the fallibility of people.

So what about “skin diseases” and “discharges”? When we fail to properly care for our bodies (by neglect or accidental encounter), we suffer. When people hurt, God hurts. As we read in the New Testament “Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). We know today that many ailments like this are contagious and are spread by human contact. So, God provides for quarantine – for the good of all. A couple of times we find the proscription of God to prepare a cleanser with cedar wood, hyssop and coarse wool yarn. Hmmm. If you use essential oils, you might know that hyssop contains thymol, an antiseptic and antiviral oil. Add cedar oil and the skin gets irritated and makes you want to scratch. Put in some coarse wool fragments and the mixture become abrasive. Wow. It’s not just a bunch of random rules, but an owner’s manual for the human body. In calling the people to Him for holiness, God was keeping them both physically healthy and spiritually healthy.

Modern science and hygiene teaches and warns about sexually transmitted disease, yet our Creator imbedded these things in the Law. There are sound biological reasons for many of these sexual prohibitions, but Yahweh even guides us through the dangerous waters of the mental and emotional impact of our sexuality. Notice Leviticus 18:18. We all know this is true. It’s in our nature, hard-wired into our DNA. Our Creator knew this, and warned us in our “Owner’s Manual”. Yahweh isn’t “against sex”. He created sexual pleasure and sexuality and gave it to people as a gift.

Notice, too, that there is no financial barrier to coming to God. The poor are relieve of the expense of sacrificing valuable livestock. It’s not about the animal, it’s about the willing submission of the soul to Almighty God. The Law even gets into regulations for harvesting your crops in a way that purposefully leaves some behind for the poor. The produce of the land is a blessing from God for us, and our blessings are for us to use to bless others.

In essence, God is saying here is the product. This is how it works. Here’s how to fix it when it breaks. Do not abuse the product. For maximum enjoyment, use the product as designed.

When we use the product – the human body, mind, soul and heart – as designed, our relationship with God, people and self will flourish. Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. As Jesus explained to us, all of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Egypt and the other nations were abusing and misusing what God created. Up until now, so were the Hebrews. God called them to be separate. God called them to come to Him. Far from being dictatorial, these instructions are the pinnacle of love. This Law, priesthood and Tabernacle was designed to point all people to Jesus. In the meantime, science and medicine caught up with the things God revealed through Moses long ago. It shouldn’t surprise us since He made us.

I don’t know about you, but far too many times I break things before reading and following the instructions. I break me the same way.

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!